Home / National News / Tempers Rise as Temps Fall, Power Outages Persist in Wake of Sandy

Tempers Rise as Temps Fall, Power Outages Persist in Wake of Sandy

November 2, 2012

(NEW YORK) — Tempers are beginning to flare as superstorm Sandy’s victims woke in cold, dark homes on Friday to face yet another grinding day of waiting for help, while temperatures are forecast to drop into the 30s and a possible Nor’easter is on the way.

Nearly four million people spent a fourth day without electricity and some were told they will have to wait weeks to have their power restored.

In the meantime, many waited for hours in line yet again for scarce gasoline supplies, water and food, or endured marathon commutes.

Conditions will worsen for those without power as temperatures dip into the 30s this weekend, and the National Weather Service warns that a Nor’easter could rake the Northeast coastline starting Tuesday.

Some parts of the area hammered by Sandy feel they have been left behind in the rush to restore power to Manhattan.

Staten Island was one of the hardest-hit communities in New York City. More than 80,000 residents are still without power, many are homeless, and at least 19 people died there because of the storm.

Four days after the storm, supplies are finally making their way to the borough and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro is boiling over in anger at what he sees as a slow relief effort.

“This is America, not a third world nation. We need food, we need clothing,” Molinaro said.